Optical Glue Dispensing Feedback for Real-Time Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bonding technologies in the semiconductor and electronic industries struggle with inconsistent glue dispensing, leading to insufficient or excessive glue application, which is not detected in real-time, resulting in suboptimal product quality and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing adjustment system integrating an optical measuring unit, glue dispensing control unit, and calculating unit forms a closed loop to measure and adjust glue volume or weight in real-time, using devices like laser rangefinders or CCD cameras to ensure 99-101% accuracy of glue application based on default values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If visual location or program-based target positioning is used for glue dispensing, then bonding process can be executed, but glue amount cannot be accurately controlled due to factors like viscosity, density, and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding process executionVSAvoidglue dispensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where an optical measuring unit captures images of the dispensed glue, the calculating unit determines the actual glue amount from these images, and the glue dispensing control unit adjusts subsequent dispensing based on this feedback. This resolves the contradiction by enabling real-time measurement and adjustment, transforming open-loop dispensing into closed-loop controlled dispensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or program-based positioning methods with an optical measurement system. Instead of relying solely on pre-programmed coordinates and mechanical dispensing control, the system uses optical imaging and image processing to measure actual glue placement and amount, substituting mechanical control with optical detection and computational adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If real-time glue measurement and adjustment system is implemented, then glue dispensing accuracy can be improved to 99-101% of default value, but system complexity increases with additional optical measuring unit and calculating unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglue dispensing accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical measuring unit serves multiple functions: it captures images of the dispensed glue for measurement, provides feedback information for control adjustment, and can potentially monitor multiple dispensing points. The calculating unit both measures actual glue amount and generates adjustment signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the glue dispensing process and the measurement system. Instead of direct mechanical contact or complex sensor arrays, the optical measuring unit uses light to non-invasively measure glue placement and amount. This intermediary approach simplifies the interaction between the dispensing system and measurement system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If traditional bonding technology is used without real-time feedback, then process speed can be maintained, but quality control can only be performed after processing, increasing rework and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidproduct quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurement and adjustment within the same processing cycle. The optical measuring unit measures the glue dispensed on the current substrate, and the control unit adjusts dispensing parameters for the next substrate before processing continues. This preliminary action ensures quality is maintained proactively rather than reactively, preventing defects before they propagate through the production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous processing speed while adding measurement and adjustment functions. The optical measurement occurs during or immediately after dispensing without stopping the production line, and the adjustment is calculated and applied to the next dispensing action seamlessly. This continuity ensures that the useful action of bonding production continues uninterrupted while quality control is integrated into the flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides real-time feedback to adjust glue dispensing, preventing insufficient or excessive application, thereby improving bonding quality and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

The optical measuring unit is a laser ranger, a laser triangulation measuring device, a device for optical interference measurement, a confocal laser scanning microscopy, the combination of a femtosecond infrared laser and a confocal microscopy, or a confocal laser.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser measurement: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a device for optical interference measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical interference measurement: Interference

Implementation Method 3

the upper visual module and the lateral visual module are charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras or CCD image sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCharge-coupled device detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12502687B2Dispensing adjustment system and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.23 KULICKE & SOFFA HI TECH CO LTD
  • US12502687B2 patent drawing
  • US12502687B2 patent drawing
  • US12502687B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A dispensing adjustment system is provided. The dispensing adjustment system includes an optical measuring unit, a glue dispensing control unit, and a calculating unit electrically connected to the optical measuring unit and the glue dispensing control unit. The optical measuring unit measures a glue to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) glue signal. The calculating unit receives the 3D glue signal to obtain a volume or a weight of the glue and compares the volume or weight of the glue with a default glue value. If the volume or the weight of the glue fails to conform to the default glue value, the calculating unit transmits a glue adjustment signal to the glue dispensing control unit, which in turn adjusts the amount of glue supplied according to the glue dispensing adjustment signal.